CO2 recovery unit and CO2 recovery method

ABSTRACT

A CO2 recovery unit includes a CO2 absorber in which a gas containing CO2 contacts a CO2-absorbing solution that absorbs the CO2 in the gas; a CO2-absorbing solution regenerator that heats the CO2-absorbing solution that has absorbed the CO2, releases the CO2 from the CO2-absorbing solution, and regenerates the CO2-absorbing solution; and at least one of a CO2 recovery rate controller that controls a difference between an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery rate of the CO2 to be within a predetermined range; and a CO2 recovery amount controller that controls a difference between an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery amount of CO2 to be within a predetermined range.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a CO₂ recovery unit and a CO₂ recovery method, for example, a CO₂ recovery unit and a CO₂ recovery method that recover CO₂ in a gas to be treated, using a CO₂-absorbing solution.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, CO₂ recovery units that recover CO₂ exhausted from boilers or the like of thermoelectric power plants are suggested (for example, refer to PTL 1). In the CO₂ recovery units, flue gas is introduced into a CO₂ absorber, a CO₂-absorbing solution is brought into contact with CO₂ included in the flue gas so that CO₂ is made to be absorbed thereinto. The CO₂-absorbing solution that has absorbed CO₂ is sent to and heated and decarboxylated in a CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator, and thereby, a high-concentration CO₂ gas is recovered. The CO₂-absorbing solution after the decarboxylation is supplied to the CO₂ absorber by a liquid feed pump, and the CO₂-absorbing solution is circulated and used between the CO₂ absorber and the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 5237204

SUMMARY

Meanwhile, in the CO₂ recovery unit described in PTL 1, the control of maintaining CO₂ recovery amount at a target value based on the fluctuations of the gas flow rate of the flue gas, the introduction temperature of the flue gas, and the like from reference values is performed. However, even when the control is performed in this way, it may be difficult to maintain the CO₂ recovery amount at the target value due to the influence of a predetermined relational expression used for the control and the precision of a measurement instrument.

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a CO₂ recovery unit and a CO₂ recovery method with which a CO₂ recovery amount and/or a CO₂ recovery rate can be controlled with high accuracy toward target values.

A CO₂ recovery unit in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a CO₂ absorber that brings a gas (i.e., gas to be treated) and a CO₂-absorbing solution into contact with each other to cause CO₂ included in the gas to be absorbed into the CO₂-absorbing solution; a CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator that heats the CO₂-absorbing solution which has absorbed CO₂, releases CO₂ from the CO₂-absorbing solution, and regenerates the CO₂-absorbing solution; a CO₂ recovery rate controller that, based on an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery rate of CO₂ in the gas, changes a circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber and changes a supply amount of saturated steam to be supplied to a regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator to control a difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate to be within a predetermined range; and a CO₂ recovery amount controller that, based on an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery amount of CO₂ in the gas, changes the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber and changes the supply amount of the saturated steam to be supplied to the regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator to control a difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount to be within a predetermined range.

According to this CO₂ recovery unit, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution and the supply amount of the saturated steam to be supplied to the regeneration heater can be appropriately controlled according to changes in the actual measured values of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount in the gas. Thus, even when there is an influence on a predetermined relational expression to be used for control and the precision of a measuring instrument due to changes in operation condition and the measuring instrument, the CO₂ recovery unit that can control the CO₂ recovery amount and/or the CO₂ recovery rate toward a target value with high accuracy can be realized.

In the CO₂ recovery unit, the CO₂ recovery rate controller controls the CO₂ recovery rate through proportional calculation and integration calculation based on the difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate.

In the CO₂ recovery unit, the CO₂ recovery amount controller controls the CO₂ recovery amount through proportional calculation and integration calculation based on the difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount.

In the CO₂ recovery unit, the CO₂ recovery rate controller includes a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and a second control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled for each predetermined period, and the CO₂ recovery amount controller includes a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and a second control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled for each predetermined period.

In the CO₂ recovery unit, one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller and the CO₂ recovery amount controller is caused to be in the first control mode, and the other is caused to be in the second control mode.

In the CO₂ recovery unit, the CO₂ recovery rate controller is caused to be a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, the CO₂ recovery amount controller is caused to be a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and control is performed by providing one of the CO₂ recovery amount controller and the CO₂ recovery rate controller with a dead band.

A CO₂ recovery method in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a process of, in a CO₂ absorber, bringing a gas (i.e., gas to be treated) and a CO₂-absorbing solution into contact with each other to cause CO₂ included in the gas to be absorbed into the CO₂-absorbing solution; and a process of, in a CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator, heating the CO₂-absorbing solution which has absorbed CO₂, releasing CO₂ from the CO₂-absorbing solution, and regenerating the CO₂-absorbing solution. Based on an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery rate of CO₂ in the gas, a circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber is changed and a supply amount of saturated steam to be supplied to a regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator is changed to control a difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate to be within a predetermined range, and based on an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery amount of CO₂ in the gas, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber is changed and the supply amount of the saturated steam to be supplied to the regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator is changed to control a difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount to be within a predetermined range.

According to this CO₂ recovery method, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution and the supply amount of the saturated steam to be supplied to the regeneration heater can be appropriately controlled according to changes in the actual measured values of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount in the gas. Thus, even when there is an influence on a predetermined relational expression to be used for control and the precision of a measuring instrument due to changes in operation condition and the measuring instrument, the CO₂ recovery method that can control the CO₂ recovery amount and/or the CO₂ recovery rate toward the target values with high accuracy can be realized.

In the CO₂ recovery method, the CO₂ recovery rate is controlled through proportional calculation and integration calculation based on the difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate.

In the CO₂ recovery method, the CO₂ recovery amount is controlled through proportional calculation and integration calculation based on the difference value between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount.

In the CO₂ recovery method, the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount are controlled by performing switching between a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and a second control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled for each predetermined period.

In the CO₂ recovery method, one of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount is controlled in the first control mode, and the other is controlled in the second control mode.

In the CO₂ recovery method, the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount are controlled in the first control mode, and one of the CO₂ recovery amount and the CO₂ recovery rate is controlled by providing a dead band.

Accordingly, the CO₂ recovery unit and the CO₂ recovery method in accordance with one or more embodiments can control the CO₂ recovery amount and/or the CO₂ recovery rate with high accuracy toward the target values.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a CO₂ recovery unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a CO₂ recovery rate controller and a CO₂ recovery amount controller in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an operation control in which a dead band of the CO₂ recovery unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present inventors have noted that, in a related-art CO₂ recovery unit, even when a CO₂ recovery amount and a CO₂ recovery rate are controlled to target values obtained based on relationships between CO₂ concentration in a gas (i.e., gas to be treated), the flow rate of the gas, and a reference value and a measured value of temperature, the target values and actual measured values may deviate from each other under the influence of measurement accuracy using a relational expression and a measurement instrument that are used for calculation. The present inventors also have found out that the CO₂ recovery amount and/or the CO₂ recovery rate can be controlled with high accuracy toward the target values by providing controllers for the CO₂ recovery amount and the CO₂ recovery rate, respectively, to control the CO₂ recovery amount and the CO₂ recovery rate such that the CO₂ recovery amount and the CO₂ recovery rate that are actually measured using a gas flowmeter and a gas concentration meter reach the target values.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be appropriately changed and carried out. Additionally, the configurations of CO₂ recovery units related to the following respective embodiments can be appropriately combined and carried out.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a CO₂ recovery unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a CO₂ recovery unit 1 is an device that absorbs CO₂ in a flue gas (an example of a gas to be treated) 11A containing CO₂ exhausted from industrial facilities, such as a boiler and a gas turbine, and recovers a high-concentration CO₂ gas. The CO₂ recovery unit 1 includes a quencher 12 that cools the flue gas 11A containing CO₂ exhausted from industrial facilities, such as a boiler and a gas turbine; a CO₂ absorber 14 that is provided in a subsequent stage of the quencher 12, brings the cooled flue gas 11A into contact with a CO₂-absorbing solution 13, and makes the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 absorb and remove CO₂ in the flue gas 11A; and a CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 that is provided in the subsequent stage of the CO₂ absorber 14, releases CO₂ from the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 that has absorbed the CO₂, and regenerates the CO₂-absorbing solution 13.

In the CO₂ recovery unit 1, the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 circulates between the CO₂ absorber 14 and the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15. The CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) absorbs CO₂ in the CO₂ absorber 14, and is supplied to the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 as the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution). Additionally, the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) has substantially all CO₂ removed and regenerated in the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15, and is supplied to the CO₂ absorber 14 as the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution).

The quencher 12 has a quenching section 121 that cools the flue gas 11A. A circulation line L₁ is provided between a bottom part of the quencher 12 and a top part of the quenching section 121. A heat exchanger 122 that cools cooling water W₁, and a circulation pump 123 that circulate the cooling water W₁ within the circulation line L₁ are provided in the circulation line L₁.

In the quenching section 121, the flue gas 11A is cooled by bringing the flue gas 11A into countercurrent contact with the cooling water W₁. The heat exchanger 122 cools the cooling water W₁ heated by the heat exchange with the flue gas 11A. The circulation pump 123 supplies the cooling water W₁, which has flowed down to the bottom part of the quencher 12, to the top part of the quenching section 121 via the heat exchanger 122.

The CO₂ absorber 14 includes a CO₂ absorption section 141 that is provided on a lower part side of the CO₂ absorber 14 and has the flue gas 11A cooled in the quencher 12 supplied thereto, a washing section 142 that is provided on an upper part side of the CO₂ absorber 14. A liquid storage section 144 that stores cleaning water W₂ for cleaning a flue gas 11B from which CO₂ has been removed is provided at a bottom part of the washing section 142. A circulation line L₂, through which the cleaning water W₂, containing the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 recovered in the liquid storage section 144, is supplied and circulated from a top part side of the washing section 142, is provided between the liquid storage section 144 and an upper part of the washing section 142. The circulation line L₂ is provided with a heat exchanger 21 that cools the cleaning water W₂, and a circulation pump 22 that circulates the cleaning water W₂, containing the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 recovered in the liquid storage section 144, within the circulation line L₂ via the heat exchanger 21. Additionally, the circulation line L₂ is provided with an extraction line L₃ through which a portion of the cleaning water W₂ (cleaning water W₃) is extracted and supplied to the CO₂ absorption section 141. The extraction line L₃ is provided with a control valve 23 that adjusts the amount of supply of cleaning water W₃ to be supplied to the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution).

In the CO₂ absorption section 141, the flue gas 11A containing CO₂ and the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 containing alkanolamine or the like come into countercurrent contact with each other. Accordingly, CO₂ in the flue gas 11A is absorbed by the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 through a chemical reaction shown in the following Formula. As a result, the flue gas 11A containing CO₂ becomes the flue gas 11B from which CO₂ has been removed by passing through the CO₂ absorption section 141. R—NH₂+H₂O+CO₂→R—NH₃HCO₃

In the washing section 142, the flue gas 11B from which CO₂ has been removed rises via a chimney tray 145. Then, the flue gas 11B is brought into gas-liquid contact with the cleaning water W₂ supplied from the top part side of the washing section 142, and becomes a flue gas 11C from which the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 entrained in the flue gas 11B has been recovered by circulation cleaning. The flue gas 11C is exhausted to the outside from a tower top part 14 a of the CO₂ absorber 14 after mist in the gas is trapped by a mist eliminator 146.

A rich solution supply tube 50 through which the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution), which has absorbed CO₂ in the CO₂ absorber 14, is supplied to an upper part side of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15, is provided between a tower bottom part 14 b of the CO₂ absorber 14 and an upper part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15. The rich solution supply tube 50 is provided with a rich solvent pump 51 that supplies the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution), which has absorbed CO₂ in the CO₂ absorber 14, toward the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15, and a rich-lean solution heat exchanger 52 that heats the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) that has absorbed CO₂, using the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) which has been heated with saturated steam S and from which CO₂ has been removed.

The CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 includes a CO₂-absorbing solution supply part 151 that is provided at a central part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 and has the CO₂-absorbing solution 13, which has absorbed CO₂, supplied thereto, and a mirror surface part 152 of a tower bottom part 15 b of a lower part of the CO₂-absorbing solution supply part 151.

The tower bottom part 15 b of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 is provided with a circulation line L₄ through which the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 that has flowed down to the tower bottom part 15 b circulates. The circulation line L₄ is provided with a regeneration heater 31 that heats the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 with saturated steam S.

A tower top part 15 a of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 is provided with a gas exhaust line L₅ through which a CO₂ gas 41 accompanied by the saturated steam S is exhausted. The gas exhaust line L₅ is provided with a condenser 42 that condenses moisture in the CO₂ gas 41, and a separation drum 43 that separates the CO₂ gas 41 from condensed water W₅. A CO₂ gas 44 from which the condensed water W₅ has been separated is released to the outside from an upper part of the separation drum 43. A condensed water line L₆ through which the condensed water W₅ separated by the separation drum 43 is supplied to the upper part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 is provided between a bottom part of the separation drum 43 and the upper part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15. The condensed water line L₆ is provided with a condensed water circulation pump 45 that supplies the condensed water W₅ separated by the separation drum 43 to the upper part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15.

Additionally, the tower bottom part 15 b of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 and an upper part of the CO₂ absorption section 141 of the CO₂ absorber 14 are provided with a lean solution supply tube 53 through which the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) in the tower bottom part 15 b of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 is supplied to the upper part of the CO₂ absorption section 141. The lean solution supply tube 53 is provided with the rich-lean solution heat exchanger 52 that heats the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution), which has absorbed CO₂, using the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) which has been heated with saturated steam and from which CO₂ has been removed, a lean solution pump 54 that supplies the lean solution in the tower bottom part 15 b of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 to the upper part of the CO₂ absorption section 141, and a quenching section 55 that cools the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) to a predetermined temperature.

The CO₂ recovery unit 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a flue gas detecting unit 101 a that is provided in a flow passage for the flue gas 11A to be introduced into the quencher 12, a flue gas detecting unit 101 b that is provided in a flow passage for the flue gas 11A exhausted from the quencher 12, a CO₂ concentration meter 102 that is provided in a flow passage for the flue gas 11C exhausted from CO₂ absorber 14, a CO₂ gas detecting unit 103 that is provided in a flow passage for the CO₂ gas 44 exhausted from the separation drum 43, and a concentration meter 104 that measures the concentration of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber 14.

A flue gas detecting unit 101 a measures CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11A to be introduced into the quencher 12, and transmits the measured CO₂ concentration to a controller 100. The flue gas detecting unit 101 b measures the gas flow rate and the gas temperature of the flue gas 11A exhausted from the quencher 12, and transmits the measured CO₂ concentration, gas flow rate, and gas temperature to the controller 100. The CO₂ concentration meter 102 detects CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11C exhausted from the CO₂ absorber 14, and transmits the detected CO₂ concentration to the controller 100.

The CO₂ gas detecting unit 103 detects the gas flow rate and the concentration of the CO₂ gas 44 exhausted from the separation drum 43, and transmits the gas flow rate and the concentration to the controller 100. The concentration meter 104 measures the concentration of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber 14, and transmits the measured concentration of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to the controller 100.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the controller 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments. The controller 100 includes a set value calculating unit 110 that calculates set values as various reference values required for the operation of the CO₂ recovery unit 1 based on input data, a CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and a CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 that correct the set values based on an actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery rate of the CO₂ recovery unit 1, and calculate corrected data, a flue gas controller 113 that controls the flow rate of the flue gas 11A to be introduced into the quencher 12 via a control valve V₁, an absorbing solution controller 114 that controls the liquid amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to be supplied to CO₂ absorber 14 via a control valve V₂ and controls the liquid amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution (rich solution) 13 to be supplied to the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 via a control valve V₃, and a steam controller 115 that controls the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31 via a control valve V₄.

The set value calculating unit 110 calculates, according to a predetermined relational expression, a set value of the gas flow rate of the flue gas 11A based on a reference value that is set in advance based on a CO₂ recovery rate target value and a CO₂ recovery amount target value, the CO₂ concentration and gas temperature in the flue gas 11A, and the concentration of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13, a set value of the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to be supplied to CO₂ absorber 14, a set value of the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution (rich solution) 13 to be supplied to CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15, and a set value of the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31, and transmits the calculated results to the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111, the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112, and the flue gas controller 113.

The CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 compares the CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11A detected by the flue gas detecting unit 101 and the actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery rate measured by the CO₂ concentration meter 102 with the set values thereof, and calculates correction values (target values) obtained by calculating the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 required in order to bring the CO₂ recovery rate close to the set values and by correcting the set values. Here, the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 corrects a set value through proportional calculation and integration calculation for the deviation of a difference between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate. The CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 transmits the corrected data to the absorbing solution controller 114 and the steam controller 115 as corrected data.

The CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 compares an actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery amount measured by the CO₂ gas detecting unit 103 with the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount, and calculates a correction value (target value) obtained by calculating the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 required in order to make the CO₂ recovery amount reach the target value and by correcting a set value. Here, the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 corrects the set value through proportional calculation and integration calculation for the deviation of a difference between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount. The CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 transmits the corrected data to the absorbing solution controller 114 and the steam controller 115 as corrected data.

The flue gas controller 113 controls the flow rate of the flue gas 11A to be introduced into the quencher 12 via the control valve V₁ based on the calculation results of the set value calculating unit 110.

The absorbing solution controller 114 controls the liquid amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution (lean solution) 13 to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber 14 via the control valve V₂ based on the calculation results of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112, and controls the liquid amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution (rich solution) 13 to be supplied to the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 via the control valve V₃.

The steam controller 115 controls the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31 via the control valve V₄ based on the calculation results of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112.

Next, the overall operation of the CO₂ recovery unit 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments will be described. The flue gas 11A containing CO₂ exhausted from industrial facilities, such as a boiler and a gas turbine, is introduced into the quencher 12, and is brought into countercurrent contact with and cooled by the cooling water W₁ after the CO₂ concentration, gas flow rate, and temperature in the flue gas 11A are measured by the flue gas detecting unit 101. The cooled flue gas 11A is introduced into the CO₂ absorber 14 via a flue 16. The flue gas 11A introduced into the CO₂ absorber 14 is brought into countercurrent contact with the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 containing alkanolamine or the like in the CO₂ absorption section 141, and becomes the flue gas 11B from which CO₂ in the flue gas 11A has been absorbed by the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 and CO₂ has been removed.

The flue gas 11B from which CO₂ has been removed rises via the chimney tray 145, is brought into gas-liquid contact with the cleaning water W₂ supplied from the top part side of the washing section 142, and becomes the flue gas 11C from which the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 entrained in the flue gas 11B has been recovered by circulation cleaning. The CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11C is measured by the CO₂ concentration meter 102 and the flue gas 11C is exhausted from the tower top part 14 a of the CO₂ absorber 14 to the outside, after the mist in the gas is caught by the mist eliminator 146.

The CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) that has absorbed CO₂ is sent to the rich-lean solution heat exchanger 52 by a rich solvent pump 51 via a rich solution supply tube 50 in the CO₂ absorber 14. In the rich-lean solution heat exchanger 52, the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) sent from the CO₂ absorber 14 is heat-exchanged with the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) sent from the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15. The CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) after this heat exchange is supplied to the upper part of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15. The CO₂-absorbing solution 13 supplied to the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 has CO₂ removed therefrom and becomes a semi-lean solution, while flowing down to the tower bottom part 15 b via the CO₂-absorbing solution supply part 151. This semi-lean solution is circulated through the circulation line L₄, is heated by the saturated steam S in the regeneration heater 31, and becomes the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution). The saturated steam S after being heated becomes the saturated steam condensed water W₄. The CO₂ gas 41 removed from the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 is released to the outside as the CO₂ gas 44 from which the condensed water W₅ has been separated through the upper part of the separation drum 43 after the moisture thereof is condensed by the condenser 42. In the CO₂ gas detecting unit 103, the CO₂ concentration in the CO₂ gas 44 is measured.

The CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) of the tower bottom part 15 b of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator 15 is supplied to the upper part of the CO₂ absorption section 141 of the CO₂ absorber 14 by the lean solution pump 54 after being heat-exchanged with the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) by the rich-lean solution heat exchanger 52 via the lean solution supply tube 53.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 controls the operation of the CO₂ recovery rate based on the set value of the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 based on a reference value that is set in advance based on the CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11A, the flow rate and temperature of the flue gas 11A, and a set value of the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31, in early stages of the operation of the CO₂ recovery unit 1 (Step ST11). Additionally, after elapse of a predetermined period, the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 measures an actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery rate using the flue gas detecting unit 101 a and the CO₂ concentration meter 102, compares the actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery rate with the target value thereof (Step ST12), calculates the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 in order to make the CO₂ recovery rate reach the target value, and corrects the set value (Step ST13). The CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 controls the CO₂ recovery rate based on the set value obtained by correcting the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 and the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31 (Step ST14).

Here, the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 corrects the set value such that the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) are increased with respect to the set value, for example, when the actual measured value (for example, 85%) of the CO₂ recovery rate is lower than the target value (for example, 90%). Accordingly, since the absorbing solution controller 114 increases the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (lean solution) and the steam controller 115 increases the flow rate of the saturated steam S, it is possible to increase the actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery rate of CO₂ recovery unit 1 toward the target value thereof.

The CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 controls the CO₂ recovery amount based on the set value of the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 based on the reference value that is set in advance based on the CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11A, the flow rate and temperature of the flue gas 11A, and a set value of the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31, in early stages of the operation of the CO₂ recovery unit 1 (Step ST11). Additionally, after elapse of a predetermined period, the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 measures the actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery amount using the CO₂ gas detecting unit 103, compares the measured actual measured value with the target value (Step ST12), calculates the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 in order to make the CO₂ recovery amount reach the target value, and corrects the set value (Step ST13). Then, the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 controls the CO₂ recovery amount based on the set value obtained by correcting the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 and the flow rate of the saturated steam S to be supplied to the regeneration heater 31 (Step ST14).

Here, the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 corrects the set value such that the flow rate of the saturated steam S and the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) are increased with respect to the set value, for example, when the actual measured value (for example, 85 t/h) of the CO₂ recovery amount is lower than the target value (for example, 90 t/h). Accordingly, since the absorbing solution controller 114 increases the flow rate of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 (rich solution) and the steam controller 115 increases the flow rate of the saturated steam S, it is possible to increase the actual measured value of the CO₂ recovery amount of CO₂ recovery unit 1 toward the target value thereof.

As described above, according to one or more embodiments, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 and the amount of the saturated steam S supplied to the regeneration heater 31 can be appropriately controlled according to changes in the actual measured values of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount in the flue gas 11A. Accordingly, even when there is an influence on the predetermined relational expression to be used for the operation control of the CO₂ recovery unit and the precision of a measuring instrument due to changes in operation condition and the measuring instrument, the CO₂ recovery unit 1 that can control the CO₂ recovery amount and/or the CO₂ recovery rate to the target values with high accuracy can be realized.

In addition, an example in which both of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 are provided, and thus both of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount are controlled has been described in the above-described embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The CO₂ recovery unit 1 may have a configuration including one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112. Even in this case, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 and the amount of the saturated steam S supplied to the regeneration heater 31 can be appropriately controlled according to changes in the actual measured values of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount. Thus, it is possible to accurately control the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount.

Additionally, an example in which the absorbing solution controller 114 and the steam controller 115 are controlled based on the corrected data that the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 have corrected has been described in the above-described embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The CO₂ recovery unit 1 may control the flue gas controller 113, the absorbing solution controller 114, and the steam controller 115, based on the data obtained by further adding the CO₂ concentration in the flue gas 11A and the gas flow rate, temperature, and the like of the flue gas 11A to the corrected data that the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 have corrected.

Moreover, an example in which the operation of the CO₂ recovery unit 1 is controlled using the corrected data of both of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 has been described in the above-described embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. The CO₂ recovery unit 1 may operate one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 in a first control mode where the corrected data is calculated and controlled at any time, and may operate the other in a second control mode where calculation processing is not performed at any time and the calculation processing is performed for each predetermined period. By controlling the operation in this way, the interference between the corrected data can be reduced even when a measurement error or the like has occurred between the calculation processing using the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111, and the calculation processing using the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112. Thus, it is possible to control the CO₂ recovery rate and/or the CO₂ recovery amount to the target values with high accuracy.

Moreover, in then above-described embodiments, an operation control may be performed by providing a dead band, without performing the integration calculation regarding one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an operation control in which a dead band is provided. In addition, in FIG. 4, a horizontal axis represents operation time, and a vertical axis represents CO₂ recovery rate (%) or CO₂ recovery amount (t/h).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one or more embodiments, for example if an operation control is performed such that difference values D between target values (SP) and actual measured values (PV) of the CO₂ recovery rate and the CO₂ recovery amount fall within a predetermined range by integration calculation based on the following Expression (1), the difference values D gradually decrease with elapse of the operation time t. Thus, when the difference values D between the target values (SP) and the actual measured values (PV) of the CO₂ recovery rate (%) or CO₂ recovery amount (t/h) have reached a range of operation time t2 smaller than a predetermined range B from the range of the operation time t1, the operation control is performed by proportional calculation by providing a dead band without performing the integration calculation regarding one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112. As a result, even when an interference of the corrected data between the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112 occurs, regarding one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller 111 and the CO₂ recovery amount controller 112, a predetermined offset smaller than an offset (for example, about 2% of a set value of the CO₂ recovery unit 1) caused by the interference of the corrected data between the target values (SP) and the actual measured values (PV) of the CO₂ recovery rate (%) or the CO₂ recovery amount (t/h) can be secured. Accordingly, since it is possible to prevent any interference of the corrected data, the offset caused by the interference of the corrected data at the time of the operation of CO₂ recovery unit 1 can be reduced to a range of 0.5% to 1%.

$\begin{matrix} {\left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack\mspace{596mu}} & \; \\ {{{Out} = {{k \cdot e} + {\int\frac{e}{Ti}}}}{e = {{SP} - {PV}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

Additionally, an example in which the flue gas 11A containing CO₂ exhausted from industrial facilities, such as a boiler and a gas turbine, is treated by the CO₂-absorbing solution 13 has been described in the above-described embodiments. However, as gases that are treated by the CO₂-absorbing solution 13, various gases can be applied if they are gases containing CO₂.

While the disclosure includes a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope should be limited only by the attached claims. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the various “units” disclosed herein may be implemented by software or hardware (e.g., circuit).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: CO₂ RECOVERY UNIT -   11A, 11B, 11C: FLUE GAS -   12: QUENCHER -   121: QUENCHING SECTION -   122: HEAT EXCHANGER -   123: CIRCULATION PUMP -   13: CO₂-ABSORBING SOLUTION -   13S: STEAM -   14: CO₂ absorber -   14 a: TOWER TOP PART -   14 b: TOWER BOTTOM PART -   141: CO₂ ABSORPTION SECTION -   142: WASHING SECTION -   144: LIQUID STORAGE SECTION -   145: CHIMNEY TRAY -   146: MIST ELIMINATOR -   15: CO₂-ABSORBING SOLUTION REGENERATOR -   15 a: TOWER TOP PART -   15 b: TOWER BOTTOM PART -   151: CO₂-ABSORBING SOLUTION SUPPLY PART -   152: MIRROR SURFACE PART -   16: FLUE -   21: HEAT EXCHANGER -   22: CIRCULATION PUMP -   23: CONTROL VALVE -   31: REGENERATION HEATER -   41, 44: CO₂ GAS -   42: CONDENSER -   43: SEPARATION DRUM -   45: CONDENSED WATER CIRCULATION PUMP -   50: RICH SOLUTION SUPPLY TUBE -   51: RICH SOLVENT PUMP -   52: RICH-LEAN SOLUTION HEAT EXCHANGER -   53: LEAN SOLUTION SUPPLY TUBE -   54: LEAN SOLUTION PUMP -   55: QUENCHING SECTION -   101 a: FLUE GAS DETECTING UNIT -   101 b: FLUE GAS DETECTING UNIT -   102: CO₂ CONCENTRATION METER -   103: CO₂ GAS DETECTING UNIT -   104: CONCENTRATION METER -   111: CO₂ RECOVERY RATE CONTROLLER -   112: CO₂ RECOVERY AMOUNT CONTROLLER -   113: FLUE GAS CONTROLLER -   114: ABSORBING SOLUTION CONTROLLER -   115: STEAM CONTROLLER -   L₁, L₂, L₄: CIRCULATION LINE -   L₃: EXTRACTION LINE -   L₅: GAS EXHAUST LINE -   L₆: CONDENSED WATER LINE -   S: SATURATED STEAM -   W₁: COOLING WATER -   W₂, W₃: CLEANING WATER -   W₄: SATURATED STEAM CONDENSED WATER -   W₅: CONDENSED WATER 

What is claimed is:
 1. A CO₂ recovery unit comprising: a CO₂ absorber in which a gas containing CO₂ contacts a CO₂-absorbing solution that absorbs the CO₂ in the gas; a CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator that heats the CO₂-absorbing solution that has absorbed the CO₂, releases the CO₂ from the CO₂-absorbing solution, and regenerates the CO₂-absorbing solution; and at least one of: a CO₂ recovery rate controller that controls a difference between an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery rate of the CO₂ to be within a predetermined range by changing, based on the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate, a circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber and a supply amount of saturated steam to be supplied to a regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator; and a CO₂ recovery amount controller that controls a difference between an actual measured value and a target value of a recovery amount of CO₂ to be within a predetermined range by changing, based on the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount, the circulation amount of the CO₂-absorbing solution to be supplied to the CO₂ absorber and the supply amount of the saturated steam to be supplied to the regeneration heater of the CO₂-absorbing solution regenerator; wherein the CO₂ recovery rate controller controls the CO₂ recovery rate through a proportional calculation and an integration calculation based on the difference between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery rate.
 2. The CO₂ recovery unit according to claim 1, wherein the CO₂ recovery amount controller controls the CO₂ recovery amount through a proportional calculation and an integration calculation based on the difference between the actual measured value and the target value of the CO₂ recovery amount.
 3. The CO₂ recovery unit according to claim 1, wherein the CO₂ recovery rate controller operates in one of: a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and a second control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled for each predetermined period, and wherein the CO₂ recovery amount controller operates in one of: a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and a second control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled for each predetermined period.
 4. The CO₂ recovery unit according to claim 3, wherein one of the CO₂ recovery rate controller and the CO₂ recovery amount controller operates in the first control mode, and the other operates in the second control mode.
 5. The CO₂ recovery unit according to claim 1, wherein the CO₂ recovery rate controller operates in a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, wherein the CO₂ recovery amount controller operates in a first control mode where the circulation amount and the supply amount of the saturated steam are calculated and controlled at any time, and wherein one of the CO₂ recovery amount controller and the CO₂ recovery rate controller is provided with a dead band. 